coal tit

Bird Guide: Coal Tit

Our Coal Tit bird guide will look into how Coal Tits sound, behave and what they feed on. They’re a regular garden visitor, and the smallest of the Tit family. When you see them at the feeder, it’s likely they’ll be storing that food away for the colder months. Another trait of Coal Tits is that they flock together in winter, searching for food together. However, in gardens, you are still only likely to see one at a time. 

 

coal tit

 



To find out more about other birds, take a look at our interactive bird guide.

 

coal tit


About

Coal Tits have a black cap, white cheeks, black and white back and pinkie/orange underparts


Locations

Coal Tits can be spotted in most areas across the UK


Habitat

Woodlands and gardens


Diet

Insects and small seeds

 

Breeding

Coal Tit breeding season takes place between March and July. Nests are typically made of moss, hairs and wool and are located in tree hollows or nest boxes. These birds can lay up to two broods in a season, each containing 9-10 white eggs with brown speckles. Incubation lasts 14-16 days



BTO Facts

 


According to Garden BirdWatch data, which has been collected since 1995, they are most frequently seen in gardens in November, in around 57% of gardens. Coal Tits have increased in gardens since Garden BirdWatch began. Although the reasons behind population fluctuations of this species are unknown, it is likely that mild winters and supplementary feeding in gardens are contributing factors to this increase.

 

 


 

Food we recommend

 

peckish complete  sunflower hearts

 

Nest boxes we recommend

 

every day nest box  garden nest box